Fuse device



Feb. 18, 19.41. I J. SHROYER 2,232,566

FUSE DEVICE Filed 'Jfi ne '10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1- Inventor-z Jacob L. Shroyer,

H is Attorne g- Feb. 18, 1941. SHRQYER 2,232,566-

FUSE DEV ICE Filed June 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invehtor-= Jacob J... Shrog er,

b Jaw 54W H is Attofneg.

Patented Feb. 18, 1941 ruse navrca Jacob L. Shroyer, Oak Park, 111., aasignor to Edison General Electric Appliance Company, Inc., Chicago, 111-, a co p ration of New York Application June 10, 1939, Serial No. 278,504

11 Claims.

My invention relates to a fuse device and more particularly to a fuse device for electric appliances, such as electric ranges, and has for its primary object the provision of a simple, compact r and inexpensive device which is constructed and arranged so that fuses may be removed without danger from shock or burning.

In general my invention relates to fuses of the so-called dead front type. Dead front fuse blocks have been constructed but in most instances these constructions have been relatively expensive to manufacture and somewhat bulky in construction. Since cost and space requirements are essential considerations in the manufacture of most electrical appliances and particularly electric ranges, these constructions have been impractical to use.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a fuse device of the dead front type which is inexpensive to manufacture, and is compact in construction. Specifically, I provide a fuse device which employs a standard fuse cut-out block. Constructed to cooperate with the standard cutout block is a fuse holder block which is provided with a pair of brackets defining openings into which cartridge fuse elements are adapted to be inserted. Means are provided on the fuse holder block to hold the cartridge fuse elements in position and integral bosses are provided on the fuse holder block adjacent the brackets for positioning the fuse holder block relative to the cut-out block so that the'cartridge fuse elements be properly aligned with respect to the contact clips on the cut-out block. 1

In its primary aspect, therefore, my invention contemplates the provision of a relatively inexpensive dead front fuse device which is readily 7 adapted to be used in devices where space considerations are of paramount importance, such as electric appliances and particularly electric ra es- In a more specific aspect, my invention contemplates the provision of a new and improved dead front fuse carrying block which may be employed with a standard cut-out block.

In another more specific aspect, my invention contemplates the provision of a fuse carrying block having integrally formed thereon means for supporting and carrying a cartridge type fuse.

In a further more specific aspect, my invention contemplates the provision of a molded fuse carrying block having integrally molded therewith a pair of brackets defining openings through which a cartridge fuse element may be inserted and also having means for holding the fuse element in its inserted position.

Further aspects of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features which characterize my invention will be pointed out. with particularity in the claims appended to and forming a part of this specification.

For a more complete understanding of my invention reference should be had to the accom panying drawings in which Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of my improved fuse device 10 showing the standard fuse cut-out block with the fuse holder block mounted thereon; Fig. 2 represents a side view partly in section of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 represents a top view partly in section of the construction shown in Fig. 15 2; Fig. 4 is a rear view partly in section of my improved fuse carrying block showing the fuse cartridges in position; Fig. 5 is a front view of a modified form of my improved fuse carrying block; Fig. 6 is a rear view of the construction 20 shown in Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 'I--'I of Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs 1-4, my invention comprises a cut-out block I0. It is to be understood that this cut-out block I0 is a standard porcelain cut- 25 out block which comprises a base portion II having side walls I2 and I3 and a central partition I4. Mounted in each of the channels formed between the partition I4 and the side walls I2 and I3 are substantially U-shaped clips I5 (Fig. 2) which 30 are adapted to receive and firmly engage cartridge fuse elements I6. The U-shaped clips I5 are firmly attached to the base of the cut-out block III by means of rivets II. Also provided in each of the channels formed in the cut-out block are terminal connectors I8 to which are adapted to be connected the leads I9 for connecting the fuse element in the circuit to be protected, for example, the electric circuit of a range or other 0 electrical appliance. Screws 20 are adapted to extend through the base portion I I of the cut-out; block I0 so as to mount the block on some suitable supporting means indicated generally at 2i. Provided centrally of the side walls I2 and I3 and the partition I4 and adjacent the top:edge thereof are recessw 22 the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The fuse element I8 may be of any suitable construction. The particular element illus- 50 trated (Fig. 4) is of the cartridge type having a cylindrical casing 23 of some suitable insulating material on each end of which is provided current carrying rings 24 which are adapted to be engaged by the clamps l5. Centrally arranged 55 in the cartridge element is a suitable fusible member II. (Iig. I).

Inordertoprotecttheuserfromthedanger of electrical shock or burns when replacing the cartridge fuse elements. I have provided in accordance with my invention a new and improved fuse carryingmemberfl whichisadaptedtobeused withthestandardfusecut-outblockdescribed indetailabove. Intheformshowninma the fuse carrying block a is preferably molded from some suitable phenolic condensation product butitis tobeunderstoodthatitmaybe'formed from any suitable insulating material. the phenolic condensation product is preferred, however. because it is relatively light and readil! molded in the desired form. Integrally formed on the block it and projecting from one side thereof is a pairof brackets I! and RI (Figs. 3 and 4) defining recesses through which the fuse elements ilareadaptedtobeinsertedandbywhich these elements are adapted to be carried when the block It is removed from the cut-out block ll. Integrally formed on the block it adjacent the brackets fl and Il are bosses II and lying between the brackets 21 and II is the integrally formed boss 30. These bosses are adapted to fit into the recesses I! provided in the side walls It and i8 and the central partition ii of the standard cut-out block l0.

Arranged to hold the fuse elements in position on the fuse block are lugs II and the spring clips 82. The lugs II are integrally formed on the block it and are adapted to serve as stops for positioning the cartridge elements centrally in the openings defined by the brackets 21 and 2|. As illustrated inv Fig. 4, these lugs are arranged on one side of the brackets 21 and 28 and are in substantial alignment with the opening defined by each of these brackets. The spring clips 32 are firmly secured to the block 20 by means of screws 81 and are arranged on the opposite side of brackets 21 and II in substantial alignment with the openings defined thereby. Each of the spring clips is provided with an upturned end portion I4 which is constructed and arranged to prevent movement of the cartridge member it out of the openings defined by the brackets. However, when the spring clip is pressed downwardly, the cartridge member may be withdrawn since the edge thereof will clear the upper edge of the upturned end portion 14. In the preferred embodiment of my invention. the lugs 8i and the spring clips I! are arranged so as to loosely hold the cartridge elements in position relative to the fuse carrying block. This permits slight movement of the cartridge element which facilitates aligning and inserting the elementinthecontactclips ll. Whilethisisa preferred arrangement. it is to be understood that thespringclipmaybesoarrangedastopositively bias the cartridge element against the lugs II and thereby firmly hold the fuse element in position.

To facilitate the manipulation of the block 2|. there is provided thereon a suitable handle ll whichcomprisesaringflmountedinaneye boltil whichisfirmlyattachedtotheblock.

While the manner in which may improved fuse device functions will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. the salient points will 'labebrieflydiscussed. Asumingthatitisdesired torepairorrepiaceafuse.theuserwiilpull outwardlyontheringfltherebyremovingthe fusecarryingbiockllfromthecut-outblocklil andhenceremovingthefusesltfromthecontaetelips il. Itwillbeobservcdthatbymesns of my improved construction the user's hands are remote from the electrical circuit being broken. The block ll, being of insulating material. produces a so-called dead front construction and removes any possibility of shock or burning of the user. With the fuse carrying block fl removed from the cut-out block II, the user may remove the cartridge element ll which is to be repaired or replaced by pressing downwardly on the spring clip I! so that the end of the element ll clears the end portion at and at the same time pushing the cartridge element upwardly away from the lug 3i and out of the opening defined by either the bracket 21 or the bracket 28 as the case may be. The burned out fuse element may then be replaced in the cartridge or, if the cartridge is of the non-replaceable type, a newcartridge may be substituted therefor. The repaired or renewed cartridge is then inserted through the opening defined in the appropriate bracket until it engages the stop lug ti and the spring clip 82 snaps in position so that the end portion it lies behind the adjacent end of the cartridge element it.

With the fuse replaced the block I! is inserted in the cut-out block Iii. By means of the lugs 28 and 20 provided on the block 2', the fuse carrying block is guided into its proper relation .with the cut-out block it so that the U-shaped contact clips It will engage the conducting portions 24 of the cartridge elements thereby completing the circuit from the terminals ll through the fusible element 25.

In Figs. 5-7, I have illustrated a modified form of fuse supporting block for my improved fuse device. The block shown in these figures is similar in many respects to the form shown in Figs. 1-4. However, there are certain structural differences which will be described in detail below. It will be observed that the fuse carrying member comprises a block I! which, like the block 26, is preferably molded from some suitable insulating material such as a phenolic condensation product. Provided on one side of this block is a suitable handle 3!. Integrally formed on the opposite side of the block are brackets 4. and II which define substantially elongated recesses 42 and 43 which are adapted to receive the fuse elements (not shown). Also integrally formed on the block II adjacent the brackets ll and ll are the bosses H and 45 which, in a manner similar to the bosses 2| and I. of the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1-4, serve to P ition the block 30 in a standard cut-out block. One of the essential differences between the modified form of block shown in Figs. -7 and the form of block shown in Figs. 1-4 is that openings II and 41 are provided in the front wall of the block opposite the brackets 40 and 4|. These openings II and 41 serve as ventilating openings for cooling the fuse elements and also as windows through which the fuse elements may be observed when they are inserted in the recesses 42 and 4! defined by the brackets Cl and I. As shown in Figs. 6 and "l, resilient clips ll similar to the members I! are firmly attached to the rear of the block 8! adjacent one side of the openings 42 and 48 defined by the brackets ll and ll. In order to prevent the resilient clips 48 from twisting. fli ht recesses or depressions 40 are provided to receive the ends of the clips 48 which are attached to the block.

One other important difference between this modified form of my improved fuse carrying member over the form shown in Figs. 1-4 is that the lugs for centering the fuse members within the openings 42 and 43 comprise a pair of circular lugs 50 which are integrally molded in the block. It was found that when the fuse carrying member having a lug similar to that shown at 3!, Fig. 4, was used with a standard double-pole doublebranch type of cut-out block, it could only be inserted in its proper position when the end of the fuse carrying block having the lug thereon is adjacent the end of the cut-out block. If the fuse carrying block were inserted in the opposite direction, i. e. with the end of the block having the resilient clips 32 thereon adjacent the end of the cut-out block, a portion of the lug would engage the central barrier provided in the standard double-pole double-branch cut-out block, thereby preventing the proper positioning of the fuse elements carried by the member 26. In order to overcome this difllculty,-the cylindrical lugs 50 were provided and were made sufficiently small in diameter to permit the fuse carrying member or block 38 to be used in a double-pole doublebranch construction irrespective of the manner in which it was applied thereto.

It is understood that the lugs 50 and the clips 48 cooperate to hold the fuse element in position on the block 44 andthe clips permit insertion and removal of the fuse element.

From the foregoing detailed description, it is apparent that by means of my invention I have provided an improved fuse device which may be manufactured at low cost and which is relatively compact in construction. More specifically, I have provided a simple, inexpensive and compact fuse carrying member which may be readily applied to a standard single-pole or double-pole cut-out block or to a double-pole double-branch Q cut-out block in order to produce a dead front fuse device which permits the manipulation of the fuses without danger to the user from shock or burns. By means of the improved fuse carrying member, electrical appliances may be provided with dead front fuse devices and the space required for their application is not increased over that required by the standard cut-out block used on such appliances.

While I have shown two particular embodiments of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a fuse device of the dead front type, a fuse carrying block, brackets on said block defining openings adapted to receive fuse elements, means on said block for longitudinally centering said fuse elements relative to said openings defined by said brackets, means on said block for removably holding said fuse elements in said openings defined by said brackets, and means on said block adjacent said brackets for insuring the proper insertion of said fuse elements in their circuit controlling position.

2. In a fuse device of the dead front type, a fuse carrying block, brackets integrally formed on said block defining openings adapted to receive fuse elements of the cartridge type, latch means for holding said fuse elements in a central position relative to said openings defined by said brackets, and integrally formed bosses on said fuse carrying block adjacent said brackets arranged to cooperate with recesses in a cut-out block to insure the proper insertion of said fuse elements in their circuit controlling positions.

3. In a fuse device of the dead front type, a fuse carrying block, a bracket on said block defining an opening adapted to receive a fuse element, means on one side of said bracket and in substantial alignment with said opening defined thereby adapted to serve as a stop for said fuse element when the latter is inserted through said opening, resilient means provided on the side of said bracket remote from said first mentionedmeans and adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned means to hold said fuse element in position, and means on said block adjacent said bracket for insuring the proper insertion of said fuse element in its circuit controlling position.

4. In a fuse device of the dead front type, a molded fuse carrying block, handle means on one side of said block, integrally molded fuse carrying brackets mounted on the opposite side of said block, said brackets defining openings adapted to receive fuse elements of the cartridge type, means on said block for longitudinally centering said fuse elements relative to said brackets, resilient means arranged to cooperate with said centering means to loosely hold said elements in said openings defined by .said brackets, and means integrally molded on said block adjacent said brackets adapted to position said fuse carrying block relative to a cut-out block to insure the proper positioning of said cartridge elements in the circuit to be protected.

5. In a fuse device of the dead front type, a

-molded fuse carrying block, a fuse carrying bracket integrally molded on one side of said block, said bracket defining a recess adapted to receive a fuse element, a lug on said block for centering said fuse element relative to said bracket, resilient means on said block for holding said element against said lug, and bosses integrally molded on said block adjacent said bracket for positioning said fuse carrying block relative to a cut out block to insure the proper positioning of said fuse element in the circuit to be protected.

6. In a fuse device, a fuse carrying block formed of molded insulating material, a pair of brackets molded on said block defining openings adapted to receive fuse elements, a pair of lugs molded on said block on one side of said brackets and in substantial alignment with said openings defined by said brackets and adapted to serve as stops for said fuse elements when the latter are inserted through said openings defined by said brackets, spring clips attached to said block on the side of said brackets remote from said lugs adapted to removably hold said fuse elements in position, and bosses integrally molded on said block adjacent said brackets adapted to cooperate with recesses in a cut-out block to insure proper positioning of said fuse elements relative to the circuit to be protected thereby.

'7. In a fuse device of the dead front type, a fuse carrying block, brackets on said block defining openings adapted to receive fuse elements of the cartridge type, means for removably holding said fuse elements in said openings defined by said brackets, bosses on said block adjacent said brackets for positioning said block relative to a cut-out block, and walls defining a pair of openings in said fuse carrying block opposite said brackets to ventilate and cool said fuse elements.

8. In a fuse device of the dead front type, a molded fuse carrying block, brackets integrally formed on said block, said brackets defining substantially U-shaped recesses adapted to receive fuse elements, walls defining openings in said fuse carrying block opposite said brackets, said openings serving to ventilate said fuse elements when inserted in said recessse defined by said brackets and also forming windows through which said fuse elements may be inspected, lugs on said block on one side of said brackets and in substantial alignment with said recesses formed thereby for limiting the movement of said fuse elements into said recesses in one direction relative to said brackets, resilient means on said block on the opposite side of said brackets adapted to cooperate with said lugs to removably hold said fuse elements in said recesses, and bosses intcsrally molded on said block adjacent said brackets for positioning said block in a cut-out block to insure the proper positioning of said fuse elements relative to the circuits to be protected thereby.

9. In a fuse mechanism, a cut-out block having a plurality of vertically extending walls defining a plurality of passageways, each of said walls having a recess located centrally of the top edge thereof, contact means in each of said passageways adapted to receive a fuse element, a fuse carrying block, brackets on said block defining openings adapted to receive fuse elements, means on said block at one side of said brackets to limit the movement of said elements through said openings defined by said brackets, resilient means for loosely holding said elements in said openings, and means on said block adjacent said brackets adapted to cooperate with said recesses in said walls of said cut-out block to position said fuse carrying block and insure the proper mounting of said fuse elements in said contact means.

10. In a fuse mechanism, a cut-out block hava,asa,soe

ing a plurality of vertically extending walls defining a pair of passageways, said walls having recesses provided centrally of the top edge thereof, a pair of substantially U-shaped contact clips arranged in said passageways, a fuse carrying block of molded insulating material, a pair of brackets molded on said block defining a pair of openings adapted to receive fuse elements of the cartridge type, lugs molded on said block at one side of said brackets to limit the movement of said fuse elements through said openings defined by said brackets and to center said elements longitudinally in said openinss. spring clips secured to said block adjacent the side of said brackets remote from said lugs vand cooperating with said lugs to loosely hold said fuse elements in said openings, bosses integrally molded on said block adjacent said brackets adapted to cooperate with said recesses in said walls of said cut-out block to position said fuse carrying block and to insure proper mounting of said fuse elements in said contact clips, and a handle firmly attached to said fuse carrying block to facilitate the insertion and removal thereof from said cut-out block.

11. In a fuse device of the dead front type, a fuse carrying block, a bracket on said block defining an opening adapted to receive a fuse element, a stop on one side of said bracket for longitudinally centering said fuse element relative to said bracket when said fuse element is inserted through said opening, latch means on the opposite side of said bracket for loosely holding said fuse element in position in said opening, and means on said block for insuring the proper insertion of said fuse element in its circuit controlling position.

JACOB L. SI-IROYER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,252,566. February 1 19in.

JACOB L. SHROYER- It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, second column, line 25, for"Figs" read --Figs.-; page 2, first column, line 67, for the word "may" read --my--; page 14., first column, line 5, claim 8, for 'recessse" read --recesses--; and thatthe said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the rec- 0rd of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of March, A. D. 19).;1.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Comissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,252,566. February 18, 1914.1.

JACOB L SHROYER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, second column, line 25,for"Figs" read -Figs.-; page 2, first column, line 67, for the word "may" read --m page LL, first column, line 5, claim 8, for "recessse" read recessee-; and that. the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of n'arch, A. 1). 19m.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

